JP2011063344A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent excessive loading of paper without using cost by using a paper surface detection sensor for full load detection.
SOLUTION: A recording medium storing means for storing a recording medium, an opening means for moving the recording medium storing means to a state where a user can replenish the recording medium to the recording medium storing means, and a height of the paper surface of the recording medium. In the state where the recording medium is detected by the lifter control means and the opening means so that the recording medium can be replenished so that the paper surface is detected when the paper surface detection sensor is on and the paper surface is lowered and the paper surface is raised when the paper surface detection sensor is off. An image forming apparatus comprising: an overload detecting unit that uses the sheet height detecting unit also as a recording medium being overloaded; and a notifying unit for notifying a result detected by the sheet overload detecting unit. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to control of a recording medium stacking unit before printing in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

  In Japanese Utility Model No. 05-047145, it is described that the paper feed cassette has power supply means, and the paper size and the remaining amount of paper are detected by an electronic circuit built in the paper feed cassette.

No. 05-047145

  In the background art, it is described that the remaining amount of paper is detected. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus including the background art, when the paper cassette or the paper deck is out of paper and the paper is replenished, the user needs If too much is inserted, there is a possibility that the paper feeding mechanism and the excessively inserted paper interfere with each other and damage the paper feeding mechanism. Therefore, a technique has been used in which a guide member is arranged and designed to protect it from being closed by hitting the guide.

  However, in this case, the user notices that the paper cassette or the paper deck is overfilled only when the paper cassette or the paper deck is closed, and has to pull it out again to adjust the amount. Moreover, although it is possible to provide a sensor for the solution, cost will become high.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
1) By using a paper surface detection sensor, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of paper to be fed without cost.

  2) The result of 1) above is notified to the user in an easily understandable manner.

3) Durability is improved by realizing wireless communication after realizing 1) and 2) above.
It is to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to use by realizing any of the above.

  In order to solve such problems, the present invention provides a recording medium accumulating means for accumulating a recording medium, and an opening means for shifting the recording medium accumulating means to a state in which a user can replenish the recording medium to the recording medium accumulating means. A paper surface height detecting means for detecting the height of the paper surface of the recording medium, a lifter control means that operates to lower the paper surface when the paper surface detection sensor is on, and to raise the paper surface when the paper surface detection sensor is off, and the opening means. Thus, the overload detection means used also as the paper surface height detection means as means for detecting that the recording medium is overloaded in a state where the recording medium has been transferred to a replenishable state, and the paper overload Informing means for informing the result detected by the detecting means is provided.

The present invention relates to a recording medium storing means for storing a recording medium, an open means for allowing the user to replenish the recording medium to the recording medium storing means, and a height of the paper surface of the recording medium. The recording medium can be replenished by the paper height detecting means for detecting the paper level, the lifter control means for lowering the paper surface if the paper surface detection sensor is on, and the paper surface if the paper surface detection sensor is off, and the opening means. In this state, the overload detection means used also as the paper surface height detection means as means for detecting that the recording medium is overloaded, and the result detected by the paper overload detection means are notified. Since it is provided with a notification means,
By using the lifter control means also as the full load detection means, it becomes possible to notify the user of oversupply of paper before closing the cassette or deck without cost.
As described above, by applying the present invention,
1) By using a paper surface detection sensor, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of paper to be fed without cost.

  2) The result of 1) above is notified to the user in an easily understandable manner.

3) Durability is improved by realizing wireless communication after realizing 1) and 2) above.
Any one of the above can be realized, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided.

Sectional drawing of a copying apparatus. The control apparatus of an Example. Operation panel external view. The flowchart which showed an example of this invention embodiment. The deck section sectional view showing the state when the paper is not oversupplemented. The deck section sectional view showing the state when the paper is oversupplemented. Schematic which shows the relationship between the deck and SL which show a state when the paper is not oversupplied. Schematic which shows the relationship between the deck and SL which show a state when the paper is oversupplied. External view of the operation panel when paper is supplied.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the copying apparatus. The configuration and operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a document feeder 1000, an image reader 200, a printer 300, a relay path 600, and a finisher 500.

  The above configuration and the operation will be described in detail. The document feeder 1000 conveys the set documents one by one from the top page in order from the left to the right on the platen glass 102 through the curved path, and then The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 112. At this time, the reader scanner unit 104 is held at a predetermined position, and the document is read by passing the document on the reader scanner unit 104 from the left to the right. When the original passes, the light from the lamp 103 of the reader scanner unit 104 is irradiated onto the original, and the reflected light from the original is guided to the image sensor 109 via the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108. It is also possible to read the original by moving the reader scanner unit 104 from the left to the right after stopping the original after the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102 by the original feeding device 1000. The document image read by the image sensor 109 is subjected to image processing and sent to the exposure control unit 110. The laser beam output by the exposure control unit 110 is applied to the photosensitive drum 111, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 111. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111 is developed by the developing unit 113, and the developer on the photosensitive drum 111 is applied to the sheet fed from any of the decks 114 and 115, the manual paper feeding unit 125, and the double-sided conveyance path 124. The image is transferred by the transfer unit 116. The decks 114 and 115 can be pulled out over the entire surface of the main body, and paper is replenished in the pulled out state.

  The sheet onto which the developer has been transferred is subjected to a developer fixing process in the fixing unit 117. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is guided to the discharge roller 118 by the flapper 121. As a result, the surface onto which the developer has been transferred is discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge roller 118 in a downward state (face down).

  When forming images on both sides of the sheet, the flapper 121 is switched to guide the sheet straight from the fixing unit 117 to the reverse path 122, and the sheet is switched back immediately after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the reverse point 123. Then, it is guided to the duplex conveyance path 124.

  The sheet discharged from the discharge roller 118 is sent to the relay path 600. In the relay path 600, the sheet is conveyed by the relay path roller 601 and is sent from the relay path 600 to the finisher main body 500. The finisher body 500 performs post-processing such as shift processing, binding processing, punching, and bookbinding.

  Next, the control means will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control means of this embodiment. In the figure, a reader unit 800 is a processing unit that controls the document feeder 1000 and the image reader 200, and is a processing unit that mainly supplies a document and reads an image. A CPU 801 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) that controls the entire reader unit. A read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM) 802 stores control procedures (control programs) for the document feeder 1000 and the image reader 200. The CPU 801 controls each component device of the document feeder 1000 and the image reader 200 according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 802. Reference numeral 803 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) which is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a working storage area, or the like. Reference numeral 805 denotes an input / output IC (hereinafter referred to as I / O) that inputs a control signal output from the CPU 801 to a load such as a motor and a signal from a sensor or the like and sends the signal to the CPU 801. When the opening / closing of the document feeder is detected, the reader unit CPU 801 notifies the controller unit CPU 802 of the state using serial communication. The image processing unit 806 performs shading correction on the image data read by the CCD, and performs control for transmission to the controller unit 820 described later.

  The controller unit 820 performs overall control of the copying apparatus main body 100 while giving instructions to the reader unit 800 and the printer unit 840. A CPU 821 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) that controls the entire copying apparatus main body 100, and a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as “ROM”) 822 stores a control procedure (control program) of the copying apparatus main body 100. The CPU 821 controls each component of the copying apparatus main body 100 according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 822. Reference numeral 823 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. The CPU 821 accepts input from various keys of the operation unit 860 via a bus and appropriate I / O (not shown), and further sends out necessary information on the display on the panel. The SRAM 825 is a RAM for holding data such as adjustment values and the total number of prints that must be held even after the main power is turned off, and a battery (not shown) is connected to back up the contents. The image processing unit 825 is a processing unit that processes image data transmitted from the reader unit 800 or an external device (not shown), and performs processing such as scaling, image data compression, and decompression. Further, image data to be printed is transmitted to a printer unit 840 described later.

  In addition, when the notification of the change in the opening / closing state of the document feeder from the reader unit CPU 801, the key operation of the operation unit 860, or the notification of the change in the door opening / closing state from the printer unit CPU 841 to be performed later, the user will copy from now on. Since it can be predicted to start, the printer unit CPU 841 is notified of a print preparation request.

  The printer unit 840 is a processing unit that controls the printer 300 and the relay path 600, and mainly performs conveyance control, high-pressure control, fixing control, laser control, and the like. A CPU 841 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) that controls the entire printer unit, and a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM) 843 stores a control procedure (control program) for the printer 300 and the relay path 600. The CPU 841 controls each component device of the printer 300 and the relay path 600 according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 843. Reference numeral 844 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. An I / O 845 is an input / output IC that inputs a control signal output from the CPU 841 to a load such as a clutch or a solenoid and a signal from a sensor or the like and sends the signal to the CPU 841.

  The high voltage control unit 847 is a control unit for outputting a primary charging output for charging the drum, a developing bias output for moving the toner onto the drum, a transfer current output for transferring the toner onto the recording medium, and the like. , The output according to the output level instructed to the CPU 841 is performed. The primary charging is based on the corona charging method, a non-contact wire (not shown) is used for the drum, the wire is further equipped with a cleaner for cleaning dirt, a device for vibrating the cleaner, and an instruction from the I / O. The cleaner section can be vibrated. Also, an input unit for measuring the primary charging and transfer output current is provided, and the measured current value is notified to the CPU 841 and used for output correction. In the copying apparatus of the present embodiment, the primary charging current is measured every 1000 sheets and the transfer current is measured every 1100 sheets. The EEPROM 846 is an EEPROM having a general serial input / output connected to the CPU 841 through a signal line, and reads and writes data instructed by a serial command from the CPU 841.

  The image exposure unit 848 plays a role of generating a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the image data received from the image processing unit 825 of the controller unit, and drives a scanner motor 849 for rotating the polygon. By irradiating the polygon with a laser emitting element (not shown), the laser beam is arranged to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum. The laser beam outputs in accordance with the image data, thereby generating a potential difference on the photosensitive drum and creating a latent image.

  The motor control unit 850 is a control circuit for driving a pulse motor that drives each roller of the printer unit 300 and the relay path 600, and is a circuit that drives the motor at a speed specified by an instruction from the CPU 841. Further, it is possible to accelerate the sheet by reducing the pulse output interval and accelerating the motor in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 841. In the present embodiment, the conveyance speed of the process unit can be set to 137 mm / S during normal times and the speed of 342 mm / S when accelerated.

  The transmission / reception unit 851 and the transmission / reception unit 853 will be described.

  The transmission / reception unit 851 arranged in the printer unit and the transmission / reception unit 853 arranged in the deck unit are units that communicate with each other. In accordance with the sequence determined by the CPU 841, an instruction to turn on / off the load of the motor 855, lock SL 858, LED 857 and the like is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 853 through the transmission / reception unit 851, and the detection result of the sensor 856 detected by the deck unit Is received by the transmission / reception unit 851 and notified to the CPU 841. As a communication method, a method using a serial communication cable, a wireless communication that is generally used, and an infrared communication method may be used.

  The deck part will be described.

  Since the transmission / reception unit 853 has been described above, it will be omitted.

  The I / O 854 is an input / output port, and the output signal determines the output state according to the contents notified from the transmission / reception unit 853, and controls the motor 855, the LED 857, and the lock SL858. The input signal has a function of notifying the transmission / reception unit 853 of the signal detected by the sensor 856.

  The motor 855 includes a motor that drives a mechanism for raising and lowering the lifter bottom plate (60002 in FIG. 5), a lifter motor for raising and lowering the position of the paper, and a roller for feeding paper from the deck. It is composed of a paper feed motor for driving.

  A sensor 856 includes a paper surface detection sensor (60001 in FIG. 5) for detecting the height of the paper surface, a lower limit detection sensor (60003 in FIG. 5) for detecting that the lifter has been lowered to the lower limit position, and for detecting paper feed. Paper feed sensor, a paper presence / absence detection sensor for detecting whether paper is present in the deck, and an open / close detection sensor for detecting whether the deck is open.

An LED 857 is an LED for notifying that too many sheets have been loaded when the sheets are stacked when the deck is open. (70001 in FIG. 7)
The lock SL 858 operates a mechanism for locking so that the deck cannot be closed when too many sheets are loaded, and drives a lock bar such as 70002 in FIG.

  Next, the operation panel (operation unit) will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation panel 60 provided in the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 400 denotes a copy start key for instructing the start of copying. Reference numeral 401 denotes a reset key for returning to the standard mode. Reference numeral 402 denotes a guidance key that is pressed when the guidance function is used. Reference numeral 403 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value such as a set number of sheets. Reference numeral 404 denotes a clear key for clearing a numerical value. Reference numeral 405 denotes a stop key for stopping copying during continuous copying. Reference numeral 406 denotes a liquid crystal display unit and a touch panel for displaying various mode settings such as a staple mode, a bookbinding mode, and a double-sided print setting, and a printer status. Reference numeral 407 denotes an interrupt key for interrupting and taking an emergency copy during continuous copying or during use as a fax or printer. Reference numeral 408 denotes a personal identification key for managing the number of copies by individual or department. Reference numeral 409 denotes a soft switch for turning on / off the power of the image forming apparatus main body. Reference numeral 410 denotes a function key used when changing the function of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 411 denotes a user mode key for entering a user mode in which the user sets items in advance, such as ON / OFF of auto cassette change or a change in setting time until entering an energy saving mode.

  The key input state is connected to the input port of the CPU 821 so that the CPU 821 can detect it.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which a display for notifying oversupply is performed when the deck is overfilled when the deck is opened as described in the present invention.

  Hereinafter, with respect to the control characterizing the present invention, Example 1 as an example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the embodiment of the present invention. Since the characteristic part of the present invention is a part for detecting paper when the deck is open, control when the deck is open will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is detected by the open / close detection sensor that the deck is opened, the process proceeds to S1001. Note that when the deck is closed, an operation for controlling the paper height is performed so that the paper is arranged at the paper feeding position.

  In S1001, the following initialization process is performed. The LED 857 for notifying that the paper has been excessively turned off is turned off, and if the warning for excessive paper loading is displayed on the operation unit described with reference to FIG. 3, the warning display is turned off, and the lock SL858 is turned off, and the lifter motor Set to OFF.

  In S1002, if the paper surface detection sensor is ON, the process proceeds to S1003, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S1002. In S1003, the lifter motor is driven to lower the lifter bottom plate (60002 in FIG. 5). In S1004, if the paper surface detection sensor (60001 in FIG. 5) is OFF, the process proceeds to S1005, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S1006. In S1005, the lifter motor is stopped and the lifter bottom plate (60002 in FIG. 5) is stopped. In S1006, if the lifter lower limit sensor (60003 in FIG. 5) is ON, the process proceeds to S1007, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S1003. In S1007, the lifter motor is stopped and the lifter bottom plate (60002 in FIG. 5) is stopped. In S1008, if the paper surface detection sensor (60001 in FIG. 5) is ON, the process proceeds to S1010, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S1009. In step S1009, the LED 857 for notifying that the paper is excessively inserted is turned off. If an excessive paper warning is displayed on the operation unit described with reference to FIG. 3, the warning display is turned off, and the lock SL858 is turned off. . Then, the process proceeds to S1008. In step S1010, the LED 857 for notifying that paper has been excessively lit is lit, a warning about excessive paper insertion is displayed on the operation unit described with reference to FIG. 3, and the lock SL858 is turned on so that the deck cannot be closed. To do. Then, the process proceeds to S1008.

  FIG. 5 shows a diagram when the deck is opened and there are not too many sheets when the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized. Since the paper surface detection sensor 60001 is in the OFF state, the lifter is stopped. In this state, it is possible to replenish paper.

  FIG. 6 shows a diagram when the deck of FIG. 4 is realized and when the deck is opened and too many sheets are loaded. Since the paper surface detection sensor 60001 is in the ON state, the lifter is lowered. Even if the lifter is lowered to the lower limit, the lifter is stopped because the lifter lower limit detection sensor is ON. In this state, as described above, a warning is notified by the LED lighting and the operation unit, so that the user cannot be replenished. Further, a lock SL858 described later is turned on so that the deck cannot be closed.

  7 and 8 show the state of control of the lock SL858 when the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized. FIG. 7 shows a diagram when the deck is opened and there are not too many sheets when the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized. Since the paper can be supplied in the same state as shown in FIG. 5, the LED 70001 is turned off, the lock SL858 is turned off to release the lock bar 70002, and the deck can be closed.

  FIG. 8 shows a diagram when the deck is opened and there are too many sheets when the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized. Since the paper cannot be supplied in the same state as shown in FIG. 6, the LED 70001 is turned on, the lock SL858 is turned on to move the lock bar 70002 in the lock direction, and it is impossible to close the deck. It is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Image reader 300 Printer 500 Finisher 600 Relay path 1000 Document feeder

Claims (5)

Recording medium storage means for storing the recording medium;
An opening means for causing the recording medium storage means to shift to a state in which the user can replenish the recording medium to the recording medium storage means;
A paper surface height detecting means for detecting the height of the paper surface of the recording medium, a lifter control means that operates to lower the paper surface when the paper surface detection sensor is on, and to raise the paper surface when the paper surface detection sensor is off,
Overload detection means that also uses the paper surface height detection means as means for detecting that the recording medium is overloaded in a state where the recording medium is shifted to a replenishable state by the opening means;
An informing means for informing a result detected by the paper overload detecting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the recording medium storage unit is in an open state, the recording medium storage unit includes a lock unit that locks so as not to shift to a closed state in which paper can be fed
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock control unit configured to lock the lock unit so that the lock unit cannot be shifted to a closed state when overloading is detected by the sheet overload detection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least a plurality of recording medium storage units, wherein each recording medium storage unit includes a notification unit.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the image forming apparatus main body of a detection result of overloading obtained by the sheet overloading detecting means without contact.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying information notified by the notifying means from the image forming apparatus main body to the notifying means.

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